Mobile terminal

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal and a control method of a mobile terminal are disclosed. The mobile terminal and a control method thereof provide a user interface allowing for a user to easily and effectively control the mobile terminal through an interaction between a certain case and the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal is accommodated in the case in a lock mode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/550,741, filed on Nov. 21, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,461,690, whichis a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/152,925, filed on Jun.3, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,922,506, which claims the benefit ofearlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Patent ApplicationNo. 10-2011-0015992, filed on Feb. 23, 2011, the contents of which areall hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a control methodthereof.

Related Art

Recently, various functions have been provided to users according to aremarkable advancement of software and hardware in various electronicdevice fields including mobile terminals.

Thus, the necessity of developing and supplying of multiple userinterfaces allowing users to easily and effectively control a mobileterminal providing diverse, complicated functions is increasing.

SUMMARY

A mobile terminal according to an aspect of the present inventionincludes: a sensing unit configured to sense whether or not a mobileterminal is received by a mobile terminal accommodation case; and acontroller configured to control an operation mode of the mobileterminal in any one of a lock mode and an unlock mode according to thesensing results of the sensing unit.

A control method of a mobile terminal according to another aspect of thepresent invention includes: sensing whether or not a mobile terminal isreceived by a mobile terminal accommodation case; and setting anoperation mode of the mobile terminal in any one of a lock mode and anunlock mode according to whether or not the mobile terminal is receivedby the case.

A control method of a mobile terminal according to another aspect of thepresent invention includes: receiving a particular event in a state inwhich a mobile terminal is received in a case having an opening exposingat least a portion of a touch screen of the mobile terminal; displayinginformation indicating the occurrence of the particular event on theportion of the touch screen corresponding to the opening; releasing thelock mode of the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal is drawn outof the case; and displaying an image related to the particular event onthe touch screen.

A control method of a mobile terminal according to another aspect of thepresent invention includes: receiving a particular event in a state inwhich a mobile terminal is received in a case having an opening exposingat least a portion of a touch screen of the mobile terminal; receivingan input for executing a function related to the particular event; andexecuting the function related to the particular event in a state inwhich the mobile terminal is received in the case.

Details of other embodiments are included in a detailed description anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description of preferred embodimentsgiven in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the mobile terminal according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a conceptional view for explaining a proximity depth of aproximity sensor;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an example of a case receiving the mobileterminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the process of a method forcontrolling a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7(a), 7(b), and 7(c) are views illustrating examples ofthe method for controlling a mobile terminal according to theembodiments illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the process of a method forcontrolling a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10(a), 10(b), and 10(c) are views illustratingexamples of the method for controlling a mobile terminal according tothe embodiments illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the process of a method forcontrolling a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 12(a), 12(b), 12(c), 13(a), 13(b), 13(c), 14(a), 14(b), 14(c), and14(d) are views illustrating examples of the method for controlling amobile terminal according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the process of a method forcontrolling a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 16(a), 16(b), and 16(c) are views illustrating an example of themethod for controlling a mobile terminal according to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 15;

FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b) are views illustrating another example of a methodfor controlling a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

The mobile terminal described in the present invention includes, forexample, mobile phones, smart phones, computers, notebook computers,digital broadcasting terminals, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), PMPs(Portable Multimedia Player), navigation devices, and the like.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal 100 according to anembodiment of the present invention. As shown, the mobile terminal 100includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A/V (Audio/Video) inputunit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150,a memory 160, an interface unit 170, a controller 180, and a powersupply unit 190. FIG. 1 shows the mobile terminal as having variouscomponents, but implementing all of the illustrated components is not arequirement. Greater or fewer components may alternatively beimplemented.

In addition, the wireless communication unit 110 generally includes oneor more components allowing radio communication between the mobileterminal 100 and a wireless communication system or a network in whichthe mobile terminal is located. For example, in FIG. 1, the wirelesscommunication unit includes at least one of a broadcast receiving module111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113,a short-range communication module 114, and a location informationmodule 115.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals and/orbroadcast associated information from an external broadcast managementserver via a broadcast channel. Further, the broadcast channel mayinclude a satellite channel and/or a terrestrial channel. The broadcastmanagement server may be a server that generates and transmits abroadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information or a serverthat receives a previously generated broadcast signal and/or broadcastassociated information and transmits the same to a terminal. Thebroadcast signal may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcastsignal, a data broadcast signal, and the like. Also, the broadcastsignal may further include a broadcast signal combined with a TV orradio broadcast signal.

In addition, the broadcast associated information may refer toinformation associated with a broadcast channel, a broadcast program ora broadcast service provider. The broadcast associated information mayalso be provided via a mobile communication network and, in thisinstance, the broadcast associated information may be received by themobile communication module 112.

Further, the broadcast signal may exist in various forms. For example,the broadcast signal may exist in the form of an electronic programguide (EPG) of the digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) system, andelectronic service guide (ESG) of the digital video broadcast-handheld(DVB-H) system, and the like.

The broadcast receiving module 111 may also be configured to receivesignals broadcast by using various types of broadcast systems. Inparticular, the broadcast receiving module 111 can receive a digitalbroadcast using a digital broadcast system such as the multimediabroadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T) system, the digital multimediabroadcasting-satellite (DMB-S) system, the digital videobroadcast-handheld (DVB-H) system, the data broadcasting system known asthe media forward link only (MediaFLO®), the integrated services digitalbroadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T) system, etc.

The broadcast receiving module 111 can also be configured to be suitablefor all broadcast systems that provide a broadcast signal as well as theabove-mentioned digital broadcast systems. In addition, the broadcastsignals and/or broadcast-associated information received via thebroadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

In addition, the mobile communication module 112 transmits and/orreceives radio signals to and/or from at least one of a base station, anexternal terminal and a server. Such radio signals may include a voicecall signal, a video call signal or various types of data according totext and/or multimedia message transmission and/or reception.

The wireless Internet module 113 supports wireless Internet access forthe mobile terminal and may be internally or externally coupled to theterminal. The wireless Internet access technique implemented may includea WLAN (Wireless LAN) (Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (WorldInteroperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed DownlinkPacket Access), or the like.

Further, the short-range communication module 114 is a module forsupporting short range communications. Some examples of short-rangecommunication technology include Bluetooth®, Radio FrequencyIDentification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra-WideBand(UWB), ZigBee™, and the like.

Also, the position information module 115 is a module for checking oracquiring a location or position of the mobile terminal. The positioninformation module 115 may acquire location information by using aglobal navigation satellite system (GNSS). Here, the GNSS is a standardgeneric term for satellite navigation systems revolving around the earthand allowing certain types of radio navigation receivers to transmitreference signals determining their location on or in the vicinity ofthe surface of the earth. The GNSS may include the United States' globalpositioning system (GPS), the European Union's Galileo positioningsystem, the Russian global orbiting navigational satellite system(GLONASS), COMPASS, a compass navigation system, by the People'sRepublic of China, and the quasi-zenith satellite system (QZSS) byJapan.

An example of GNSS is a GPS (Global Positioning System) module. The GPSmodule may calculate information related to the distance from one point(entity) to three or more satellites and information related to time atwhich the distance information was measured, and applies trigonometry tothe calculated distance, thereby calculating three-dimensional locationinformation according to latitude, longitude, and altitude with respectto the one point (entity). In addition, a method of acquiring locationand time information by using three satellites and correcting an errorof the calculated location and time information by using another onesatellite may be also used. The GPS module may also continuouslycalculate the current location in real time and also calculate speedinformation by using the continuously calculated current location.

With reference to FIG. 1, the A/V input unit 120 is configured toreceive an audio or video signal, and includes a camera 121 and amicrophone 122. The camera 121 processes image data of still pictures orvideo obtained by an image capture device in a video capturing mode oran image capturing mode, and the processed image frames can then bedisplayed on a display unit 151.

Further, the image frames processed by the camera 121 may be stored inthe memory 160 or transmitted via the wireless communication unit 110.Two or more cameras 121 may also be provided according to theconfiguration of the mobile terminal.

In addition, the microphone 122 may receive an external audio signal ina call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, and the like,and may process the received audio signal into electric audio data. Theprocessed audio data may then be converted for output into a formattransmittable to a mobile communication base station via the mobilecommunication module 112 for the call mode. The microphone 122 may alsoimplement various types of noise canceling (or suppression) algorithmsto cancel or suppress noise or interference generated when receiving andtransmitting audio signals.

Also, the user input unit 130 can generate input data from commandsentered by a user to control various operations of the mobile terminal.The user input unit 130 may include a keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad(e.g., a touch sensitive member that detects changes in resistance,pressure, capacitance, etc. due to being contacted), a jog wheel, a jogswitch, and the like.

Further, the sensing unit 140 detects a current status of the mobileterminal 100 such as an opened or closed state of the mobile terminal100, a location of the mobile terminal 100, the presence or absence ofuser contact with the mobile terminal 100, the orientation of the mobileterminal 100, an acceleration or deceleration movement and direction ofthe mobile terminal 100, etc., and generates commands or signals forcontrolling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, whenthe mobile terminal 100 is implemented as a slide type mobile phone, thesensing unit 140 may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed.In addition, the sensing unit 140 can detect whether or not the powersupply unit 190 supplies power or whether or not the interface unit 170is coupled with an external device. In FIG. 1, the sensing unit 140 alsoincludes a proximity sensor 141.

In addition, the output unit 150 is configured to provide outputs in avisual, audible, and/or tactile manner. In the example in FIG. 1, theoutput unit 150 includes the display module 151, an audio output module152, an alarm unit 153, a haptic module 154, and the like. In moredetail, the display module 151 can display information processed in themobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in aphone call mode, the display module 151 can display a User Interface(UI) or a Graphic User Interface (GUI) associated with a call or othercommunication.

The display module 151 may also include at least one of a Liquid CrystalDisplay (LCD), a Thin Film Transistor-LCD (TFT-LCD), an Organic LightEmitting Diode (OLED) display, a flexible display, a three-dimensional(3D) display, or the like. Some of these displays may also be configuredto be transparent or light-transmissive to allow for viewing of theexterior, which is called transparent displays.

An example transparent display is a TOLED (Transparent Organic LightEmitting Diode) display, or the like. A rear structure of the displaymodule 151 may be also light-transmissive. Through such configuration,the user can view an object positioned at the rear side of the terminalbody through the region occupied by the display module 151 of theterminal body.

Further, the mobile terminal 100 may include two or more display modulesaccording to its particular desired embodiment. For example, a pluralityof display modules may be separately or integrally disposed on onesurface of the mobile terminal, or may be separately disposed onmutually different surfaces.

Meanwhile, when the display module 151 and a sensor (referred to as a‘touch sensor’, hereinafter) for detecting a touch operation areoverlaid in a layered manner to form a touch screen, the display module151 can function as both an input device and an output device. The touchsensor may have a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, andthe like.

Further, the touch sensor may be configured to convert pressure appliedto a particular portion of the display module 151 or a change in thecapacitance or the like generated at a particular portion of the displaymodule 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may also beconfigured to detect the pressure when a touch is applied, as well asthe touched position and area.

When there is a touch input with respect to the touch sensor,corresponding signals are transmitted to a touch controller, and thetouch controller processes the signals and transmits corresponding datato the controller 180. Accordingly, the controller 180 can recognizewhich portion of the display module 151 has been touched.

With reference to FIG. 1, the proximity sensor 141 may be disposedwithin or near the touch screen. In more detail, the proximity sensor141 is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an objectrelative to a certain detection surface or an object that exists nearbyby using the force of electromagnetism or infrared rays without aphysical contact. Thus, the proximity sensor 141 has a considerablylonger life span compared with a contact type sensor, and can beutilized for various purposes.

Examples of the proximity sensor 141 include a transmission typephotoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, amirror-reflection type photo sensor, an RF oscillation type proximitysensor, a capacitance type proximity sensor, a magnetic proximitysensor, an infrared proximity sensor, and the like. When the touchscreen is the capacitance type, proximity of the pointer is detected bya change in electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. Inthis instance, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as aproximity sensor.

In the following description, for the sake of brevity, recognition ofthe pointer positioned to be close to the touch screen will be called a‘proximity touch’, while recognition of actual contacting of the pointeron the touch screen will be called a ‘contact touch’. Further, when thepointer is in the state of the proximity touch, it means that thepointer is positioned to correspond vertically to the touch screen.

By employing the proximity sensor 141, a proximity touch and a proximitytouch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touchspeed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, a proximitytouch movement state, or the like) can be detected, and informationcorresponding to the detected proximity touch operation and theproximity touch pattern can be output to the touch screen.

Further, the audio output module 152 can convert and output as soundaudio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or storedin the memory 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode, a recordmode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and thelike. Also, the audio output module 152 can provide audible outputsrelated to a particular function performed by the mobile terminal 100(e.g., a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.).The audio output module 152 may also include a speaker, a buzzer, or thelike. In addition, the audio output module 152 may output a soundthrough an earphone jack.

In addition, the alarm unit 153 can output information about theoccurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Typical eventsinclude call reception, message reception, key signal inputs, a touchinput etc. In addition to audio or video outputs, the alarm unit 153 canprovide outputs in a different manner to inform about the occurrence ofan event. For example, the alarm unit 153 can provide an output in theform of vibrations. The video signal or the audio signal may be alsooutput through the display module 151 or the audio output module 152.

In addition, the haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects theuser may feel. One example of the tactile effects generated by thehaptic module 154 is vibration. The strength and pattern of the hapticmodule 154 can also be controlled. For example, different vibrations maybe combined to be output or sequentially output.

Besides vibration, the haptic module 154 can generate various othertactile effects such as an effect by stimulation such as a pinarrangement vertically moving with respect to a contact skin, a sprayforce or suction force of air through a jet orifice or a suctionopening, a contact on the skin, a contact of an electrode, electrostaticforce, etc., an effect by reproducing the sense of cold and warmth usingan element that can absorb or generate heat.

The haptic module 154 may also be implemented to allow the user to feela tactile effect through a muscle sensation such as fingers or arm ofthe user, as well as transferring the tactile effect through a directcontact. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to theconfiguration of the mobile terminal 100.

Further, the memory 160 can store software programs used for theprocessing and controlling operations performed by the controller 180,or temporarily store data (e.g., a phonebook, messages, still images,video, etc.) that are input or output. In addition, the memory 160 maystore data regarding various patterns of vibrations and audio signalsoutput when a touch is input to the touch screen.

The memory 160 may also include at least one type of storage mediumincluding a flash memory, a hard disk, a multimedia card micro type, acard-type memory (e.g., SD or DX memory, etc), a Random Access Memory(RAM), a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM),an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), aProgrammable Read-Only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magneticdisk, and an optical disk. Also, the mobile terminal 100 may be operatedin relation to a web storage device that performs the storage functionof the memory 160 over the Internet.

Also, the interface unit 170 serves as an interface with externaldevices connected with the mobile terminal 100. For example, theexternal devices can transmit data to an external device, receive andtransmit power to each element of the mobile terminal 100, or transmitinternal data of the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. Forexample, the interface unit 170 may include wired or wireless headsetports, external power supply ports, wired or wireless data ports, memorycard ports, ports for connecting a device having an identificationmodule, audio input/output (I/O) ports, video I/O ports, earphone ports,or the like.

The identification module may also be a chip that stores various typesof information for authenticating the authority of using the mobileterminal 100 and may include a user identity module (UIM), a subscriberidentity module (SIM) a universal subscriber identity module (USIM), andthe like. In addition, the device having the identification module(referred to as ‘identifying device’, hereinafter) may take the form ofa smart card. Accordingly, the identifying device can be connected withthe mobile terminal 100 via a port.

When the mobile terminal 100 is connected with an external cradle, theinterface unit 170 can also serve as a passage to allow power from thecradle to be supplied therethrough to the mobile terminal 100 or serveas a passage to allow various command signals input by the user from thecradle to be transferred to the mobile terminal therethrough. Variouscommand signals or power input from the cradle may operate as signalsfor recognizing that the mobile terminal is properly mounted on thecradle.

In addition, the controller 180 controls the general operations of themobile terminal. For example, the controller 180 performs controllingand processing associated with voice calls, data communications, videocalls, and the like. In the example in FIG. 1, the controller 180 alsoincludes a multimedia module 181 for reproducing multimedia data. Themultimedia module 181 may be configured within the controller 180 or maybe configured to be separated from the controller 180. The controller180 can also perform a pattern recognition processing to recognize ahandwriting input or a picture drawing input performed on the touchscreen as characters or images, respectively.

Also, the power supply unit 190 receives external power or internalpower and supplies appropriate power required for operating respectiveelements and components under the control of the controller 180.Further, various embodiments described herein may be implemented in acomputer-readable or its similar medium using, for example, software,hardware, or any combination thereof.

For a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may beimplemented by using at least one of application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signalprocessing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,micro-controllers, microprocessors, electronic units designed to performthe functions described herein. In some cases, such embodiments may beimplemented by the controller 180 itself.

For a software implementation, the embodiments such as procedures orfunctions described herein may be implemented by separate softwaremodules. Each software module may perform one or more functions oroperations described herein. Software codes can be implemented by asoftware application written in any suitable programming language. Thesoftware codes may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by thecontroller 180.

FIG. 2A is a perspective diagram of a front side of the mobile terminal100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The mobileterminal 100 is configured to have a bar-type terminal body. Yet, themobile terminal 100 may be implemented in a variety of differentconfigurations. Examples of such configurations include a folder-type, aslide-type, a rotational-type, a swing-type and combinations thereof.For clarity, the remainder of the disclosure will discuss the mobileterminal 100 directed to the bar-type terminal body. However suchteachings apply equally to other types of mobile terminals.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the mobile terminal 100 includes a case (casing,housing, cover, etc.) configuring an exterior thereof. In the presentembodiment, the case can be divided into a front case 101 and a rearcase 102. Various electric or electronic parts are loaded in a spaceprovided between the front case 101 and rear case 102. Optionally, atleast one middle case can be additionally provided between the frontcase 101 and rear case 102.

The cases 101 and 102 can be formed by injection molding of syntheticresin or can be formed of metal substances such as stainless steel ortitanium.

The front case 101 of the mobile terminal 100 can include at least thedisplay module 151, the audio output module 152, a camera 121, userinput units 131 and 132, the microphone 122, or the interface unit 170.

The display module 151 occupies most of a main face of the front case101. The audio output unit 151 and the camera 121 are provided on anarea adjacent to one of two end portions of the display module 151,while the user input unit 131 and the microphone 122 are provided toanother area adjacent to the other end portion of the display module151. The user input unit 132 and the interface unit 170 can be providedon lateral sides of the front case 101 and rear case 102.

The input unit 130 is manipulated to receive a command for controllingan operation of the mobile terminal 100. The input unit 130 is able toinclude a plurality of manipulating units 131 and 132. The manipulatingunits 131 and 132 can be named a manipulating portion and may adopt anymechanism of a tactile manner that enables a user to perform amanipulation action by sensing a tactile feedback.

Content input by the first manipulating unit 131 or second manipulatingunit 132 can be diversely set. For instance, commands such as start, endor scroll can be input to the first manipulating unit 131. On the otherhand, commands directed to adjusting a volume of sound outputting fromthe audio output module 152 or switching to a touch recognizing mode ofthe display module 151 can be input to the second manipulating unit 132.

FIG. 2B is a perspective diagram of a backside of the mobile terminal100 shown in FIG. 2A. Referring to FIG. 2B, a camera 121′ can beadditionally provided to a backside of the mobile terminal 100, and moreparticularly, to the rear case 102. The camera 121′ has a photographingdirection that is substantially opposite to that of the camera 121 shownin FIG. 2A and may have a different number of pixels to provide adifferent resolution from that of the camera 121.

Preferably the camera 121 can have enough resolution to capture andtransmit a picture of a user's face for a video call, while the camera121′ has a higher resolution for capturing a general subject forphotography without transmitting the captured subject. Each of thecameras 121 and 121′ can be installed in the mobile terminal 100 to berotated open or popped open.

The flash module 123 and the mirror module 124 are additionally providedadjacent to the camera 121′. The flash module 123 projects light towarda subject in case of photographing the subject using the camera 121′. Incase that a user attempts to take a picture of the user (e.g.,self-photography) using the camera 121′, the mirror module 124 enablesthe user to view user's face reflected by the mirror module 124.

An additional audio output module 152′ can be provided to the backsideof the mobile terminal 100. The additional audio output module 152′ isable to implement a stereo function together with the audio outputmodule 152 shown in FIG. 2A and may be used to implement a speakerphonemode when the mobile terminal 100 is configured in the phone call mode.

The broadcast signal antenna 116 can be provided to the lateral side ofthe mobile terminal 100 to provide further communication capabilities tothe mobile terminal 100. The broadcast signal antenna 116 can beconstructed as a portion of the broadcast receiving module 111 shown inFIG. 6B. Additionally, the broadcast signal antenna 116 can beconfigured to be retractable in the mobile terminal 100.

The power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100can be configured to be built within the mobile terminal 100.Alternatively, the power supply unit 190 can be configured to bedetachably connected to the mobile terminal 100.

A touchpad 135 for detecting a touch can be additionally provided to therear case 102. The touchpad 135 can be configured in a lighttransmittive type like the display module 151. In this case, if thedisplay module 151 is configured to output visual information from itsboth faces, it is able to recognize the visual information via thetouchpad 135 as well. The information output from both of the faces canbe entirely controlled by the touchpad 135. Alternatively, a display isfurther provided to the touchpad 135 so that a touchscreen can beprovided to the rear case 102 as well.

The touchpad 135 is activated by interconnecting with the display module151 of the front case 101. The touchpad 135 can be provided in rear ofthe display module 151 in parallel. The touchpad 135 can have a sizeequal to or smaller than that of the display module 151.

Next, FIG. 3 is a conceptual view illustrating a proximity depth of theproximity sensor 141. As shown in FIG. 3, when a pointer such as theuser's finger, a pen, or the like, approaches the touch screen, theproximity sensor 141 disposed within or near the touch screen detects itand outputs a proximity signal. The proximity sensor 141 may also beconfigured to output a different proximity signal according to thedistance (referred to as a ‘proximity depth’, hereinafter) between theclosely touched pointer and the touch screen.

FIG. 3 also shows the section of the touch screen with the proximitysensor 141 for detecting, for example, three proximity depths. Theproximity sensor 141 may detect three or less or four or more proximitydepths. In more detail, when the pointer is fully brought into contactwith the touch screen d0, this position is recognized as a contacttouch. When the pointer is positioned to be spaced apart by shorter thana distance d1 on the touch screen, this position is recognized as aproximity touch with a first proximity depth.

If the pointer is positioned to be spaced apart by the distance longerthan the distance d1 but shorter than a distance d2 on the touch screen,this position is recognized as a proximity touch with a second proximitydepth. Also, if the pointer is positioned to be spaced apart by thedistance longer than the distance d2 but shorter than a distance d3,this position is recognized as a proximity touch with a third proximitydepth. If the pointer is positioned to be spaced apart by longer thanthe distance d3 on the touch screen, this position is recognized thatthe proximity touch has been released.

Accordingly, the controller 180 can recognize the proximity touches asvarious input signals according to the proximity depths and proximitypositions of the pointer, and control various operations according tothe various input signals.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an example of a case receiving the mobileterminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Withreference to FIG. 4, the case 200 is able to accommodate (or receive)the mobile terminal 100 (or a main body of the mobile terminal 100).

The case 200 may have a plurality of faces and include an opening 210exposing at least a portion of the touch screen 151 in a state in whichthe mobile terminal 100 is accommodated therein. The opening 210 may bevariably modified and implemented. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, theopening 210 may have a circular shape such that it can corresponding toa portion of the touch screen 151 of the mobile terminal 100.

The case 200 may have a coupling unit for coupling the mobile terminal100 after the mobile terminal is received in the case 200. The couplingunit may have a contact point formed on an inner surface of the case 200and brought into contact with a certain contact point formed on an outersurface of the main body of the mobile terminal 100 as the mobileterminal 100 is received in the case 200. As the contact point of thecase 200 and that of the mobile terminal 100 are brought into contactwith each other, whether or not the mobile terminal 100 is accommodatedin the case 200 can be detected. The coupling unit will be describedlater with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B.

The case 200 may have a recess 220 allowing for an access to the userinput unit 130 protruded from an outer surface (or a side surface) ofthe body of the mobile terminal 100 in a state in which the mobileterminal 100 is accommodated in the case 200.

Meanwhile, the opening 210 of the case 200 may include a protective filmformed on an inner face or an outer face of the case 200 in order toprotect the touch screen 151 of the mobile terminal 100 when the mobileterminal 100 is accommodated.

The case 200 is not limited to the shape as shown in FIG. 4. Forexample, the case 200 may be provided to cover the entire surface of thetouch screen 151 of the mobile terminal 100. Meanwhile, the opening 210is formed to expose a portion of the touch screen 151, but it can bevariably modified and implemented to expose the entire regions of thetouch screen 151, as well as a portion of the touch screen 151.

Hereinafter, the process of changing an operation mode of the mobileterminal 100 from a first operation mode to a second operation mode inaccommodating the mobile terminal 100 to the foregoing case 200 will nowbe described with reference to FIG. 5 and other drawings.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the process of a method forcontrolling a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIGS. 6A to 7 are views illustrating examples of the methodfor controlling a mobile terminal according to the embodimentsillustrated in FIG. 5.

With reference to FIGS. 5 to 6B, it is assumed that the mobile terminal100 is unlocked before it is accommodated in the case 200. First, withrespect to the case 200 in which the mobile terminal 100 isaccommodated, the mobile terminal 100 can detect whether the mobileterminal 100 has been accommodated by the case 200 through the sensingunit 140 in operation S110.

According to the sensing results of sensing unit 140 in operation S120,when the mobile terminal 100 is accommodated by the case 200, anoperation mode of the mobile terminal 100 may be changed to a lock modein operation S130, and when the mobile terminal 100 is drawn out of thecase 200, the operation mode of the mobile terminal may be changed to anunlock mode in operation S140.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the sensing unit may be a contact point 133provided on an outer surface of the mobile terminal 100. The sensingunit may be a second contact point 133 provided to a positioncorresponding to a first contact point 231 formed on the case 200 andbrought into contact with the first contact point 231 when the mobileterminal 100 is accommodated by the case 200 (See FIG. 6A).

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 6A, the coupling structure and configurationof the first contact point 231 provided to the case 200 and the secondcontact point 133 provided to the body of the mobile terminal 100 aremere illustrative. Namely, the first contact point 231 and the secondcontact point 133 may be modified and implemented as shown in FIG. 6B.

For example, with reference to FIG. 6B, a second contact point 134 and afirst contact point 233 may be coupled in the form of a button. Namely,the second contact point 134 may be provided to a position correspondingto the first contact point 233 provided to the case 200, so it can beelastically coupled with the first contact point 233 when the mobileterminal 100 is accommodated in the case 200.

As described above, when the mobile terminal 100 is elastically coupledwith the case 200 through the contact points, the operation mode may beset to be the lock mode, and when the elastic coupling is released, theoperation mode may be set to be the unlock mode.

In the above description, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 100 isin the lock mode before it is accommodated in the case 200, but thepresent invention is not limited thereto. For example, before the mobileterminal 100 is accommodated in the case 200, the mobile terminal 100may enter the lock mode according to a user manipulation, and when thefirst contact point 231, 233 and the second contact point 133, 134 comeinto contact with each other while the mobile terminal 100 is in thelock mode, the controller 180 does not change the operation mode of themobile terminal 100 to a different mode.

Meanwhile, in order to detect an interaction between the mobile terminal100 and the case 200, the mobile terminal 100 may include theillumination sensor 143.

The proximity sensor 141 may sense brightness of the outside of themobile terminal 100.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the mobile terminal 100 iscompletely accommodated in the case so as to be blocked by the case, asensing signal value of the illumination sensor 143 is 0, and sensingsignal value of the illumination sensor 143 in FIGS. 7(b) and 7(c) maybe 1.

Thus, when the sensing signal value of the illumination sensor 143 ischanged from 0 to 1 or from 1 to 0, the controller 180 may change theoperation mode of the mobile terminal 100 from the first operation modeto the second operation mode.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the mobileterminal 100 is accommodated in the case 200, the illumination sensor141 provided to the body of the mobile terminal 100 is blocked by thecase 200. Accordingly, the sensing results sensed by the illuminationsensor 143 is transferred to the controller 180, and the controller 180may change the operation mode of the mobile terminal 100 to the lockmode (See FIG. 7(a)).

In a state in which the mobile terminal is accommodated in the case 200in the lock mode, when the mobile terminal 100 is drawn out of the case200, the illumination sensor 143 senses external light and transfers thesensing results to the controller 180. Then, the controller 180 maychange the operation mode of the mobile terminal from the lock mode tothe unlock mode.

Namely, in general, when the mobile terminal is in the lock mode, thelock mode can be released through a user manipulation of releasing thelock mode state, e.g., a user manipulation with respect to an iconrelated to a mode conversion, such as drawing a particular pattern onthe touch screen 151 to corresponding to the unlock mode, tracingmanipulation, or the like.

However, in the embodiments of the present invention, when the mobileterminal 100 accommodated in the case is drawn out of the case 200, thelock mode can be automatically released through interaction between thecase 200 and the mobile terminal 100.

Meanwhile, when the mobile terminal 100 is changed to the lock mode, thecontroller 180 may display a unique image of the lock mode, or in orderto allow the user to recognize that a user access to the screen in anactive mode state is limited by intuition, the controller 180 may makethe brightness of the screen blur.

When the lock mode is released, the controller 180 may display useraccessible applications or menus on the touch screen 151. Thus, in thepresent embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, whenthe mobile terminal 100 is released from the case 200, the useraccessible image can be displayed on the touch screen 151 without havingto perform an unlocking process.

The function of controlling the mobile terminal in one of the lock modeand unlock mode according to whether or not the mobile terminal isaccommodated in the case which can accommodate a mobile terminal hasbeen described.

Hereinafter, an example in which when a particular event occurs with themobile terminal accommodated in the case, the mobile terminal is drawnout of the case to perform the function related to the particular eventwill be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. Also, an example inwhich when a particular event occurs with the mobile terminalaccommodated in the case, the mobile terminal performs a functionrelated to the particular event in a state of being accommodated in thecase will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the process of a method forcontrolling a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIGS. 9 and 10 are views illustrating examples of the methodfor controlling a mobile terminal according to the embodimentsillustrated in FIG. 8.

With reference to FIG. 8, the controller determines whether or not themobile terminal 100 is accommodated in the lock mode in operation S210.

Whether the mobile terminal 100 has been received in the case 200 can bedetermined by being mechanically connected with the contact pointprovided to the case 200. Or, whether the mobile terminal 100 has beenreceived in the case 200 can be determined through the illuminationsensor which is provided to an outer surface of the body of the mobileterminal 100 and senses external brightness. Detection as to whether themobile terminal 100 has been received can be variably modified andimplemented without being limited to the foregoing example.

When a particular event occurs in the state in which the mobile terminal100 is accommodated in the case 200 in the lock mode in operation S220,the controller 180 may display information indicating the occurrence ofan event at a particular region (151 a) corresponding to the openingprovided to the case, among the regions of the touch screen 151 inoperation S230.

The particular region (151 a) of the touch screen 151 corresponding tothe opening can be previously set. For example, when a plurality ofcases having openings each having a different shape and size exist, thecontroller 180 may store information regarding the shapes and sizes ofthe openings corresponding to the plurality of cases. Thus, when thetype of the case 200 applied to the mobile terminal 100 is changed, theinformation regarding the opening may be differently applied through auser manipulation.

The controller 180 may display information indicating the occurrence ofan event on a particular region of the touch screen corresponding to thechanged shape and size of the opening.

The opening may be provided to a region of the case in contact with afront surface or a rear surface of the mobile terminal 100, and in astate in which the mobile terminal 100 is accommodated in the case 200,the touch screen 151 may be exposed to the outside through the opening.

The particular event may include, for example, a reception of a call, acompletion of downloading, reception of external information, acompletion of a pre-set task, and the like.

The event related to a call refers to a reception of a call or a case inwhich the user fails to answer the received call (i.e., absent call).

The completion of downloading refers to a case in which downloading ofdata, such as contents, or the like, which is requested by the user orautomatically made is completed in the lock mode state.

The completion of a pre-set task refers to a case in which a task whichis set by the user or automatically set by the controller 180 iscompleted in the lock mode state, and in this case, the task may bedivided into a task, such as the data downloading, according to aninteraction with the outside of the mobile terminal 100, and a taskperformed in the interior of the mobile terminal 100.

The reception of external information may be, for example, an event ofreception information from the exterior, such as a reception of amessage, a reception of an e-mail, a reception of update informationrelated to an SNS, a reception of update information of variousapplications. Namely, the reception of external information refers to areception of information from the exterior when the mobile terminal 100is accommodated in the case 200 in the lock mode state.

Besides the foregoing examples, the particular event may include anyevent which may occur in relation to the mobile terminal 100.

Meanwhile, the information indicating the occurrence of the event may beprovided as text, visualized image (or icon, etc.) corresponding to theparticular event.

For example, with reference to FIG. 9(a), when the particular event is areception of a text message, an icon 11 indicating the text message maybe displayed on a particular region 151 a of the touch screen 151. Also,with reference to FIG. 10(a) when the particular event is an eventrelated to a reception of a call, an icon 21 indicating the callreceiving may be displayed on a particular region 151 a of the touchscreen 151. And, when the particular event is an event indicating anabsent call, among events related to a call, certain text may bedisplayed on a particular region 151 a of the touch screen 151.

In a state in which the information indicating the occurrence of theevent is displayed on a particular region of the touch screen, when themobile terminal is detected to be drawn out of the case 200 S240(referring to FIG. 9(b), FIG. 10(b)), the controller 180 may release thelock mode of the mobile terminal 100 in operation S250. The lock modecan be automatically released without a user manipulation immediatelywhen the mobile terminal 100 is drawn out of the case 200.

Also, the controller 180 may release the lock mode and display an imagerelated to the particular event on the touch screen in operation S260.For example, with reference to FIG. 9(c), when the particular event is areception of a text message from the exterior, an image related to theparticular event may be an image providing full text of the receivedtext message. Or, with reference to FIG. 10(c), when the particularevent is a reception of a call, an image related to the particular eventmay be an image 22 informing that a call is being connected.

In the above description, when a particular event occurs in the state inwhich the mobile terminal is accommodated in the case, the lock mode ofthe mobile terminal 100 is automatically released as the mobile terminal100 is drawn out of the case 200 and an image related to the event isdisplayed on the touch screen 151. Hereinafter, an example in which afunction related to an event is executed in a state in which the mobileterminal 100 is not separated from the case 200 will now be described.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the process of a method forcontrolling a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIGS. 12 to 14 are views illustrating examples of the methodfor controlling a mobile terminal according to the embodimentsillustrated in FIG. 11.

With reference to FIG. 11, the controller 180 determines whether or notthe mobile terminal 100 is accommodated in the case in the lock mode inoperation S310. Whether or not the mobile terminal 100 is accommodatedin the case 200 can be detected in the same manner as described above.

When a particular event occurs in the state in which the mobile terminalis accommodated in the case 200 in the lock mode in operation S320, thecontroller 180 may display information indicating the occurrence of theevent on a particular region of the touch screen 151 corresponding tothe opening provided to the case 200 in operation S330.

With the information indicating the occurrence of the event displayed onthe particular region of the touch screen 151, the mobile terminal 100may receive a user input for executing a function related to the eventin operation S340.

The user input may include an input with respect to the usermanipulation unit 132 formed on the side portion of the body of themobile terminal 100. The user manipulation unit 132 may include varioussensors. The user manipulation unit may include a button typemanipulation unit, a gyro sensor, a pressure sensor, or the like.

Accordingly, as the user manipulation unit 132 is controlled in thestate in which the event occurrence notification information isdisplayed on the particular region of the touch screen 151 correspondingto the opening, the controller may execute a function related to theparticular event without releasing the lock mode in operation S350.

For example, with reference to FIG. 12(a), when the particular event isa call reception, the controller 180 may display received callinformation 31 on a particular region of the touch screen. Also, withoutseparating the mobile terminal 100 from the case 200, the controller 180may display guide information 32 for connecting the received call on aparticular region of the touch screen together.

And, with reference to FIG. 12(b), the controller 180 may receive aparticular user manipulation inducing a movement of the mobile terminal100 through the user manipulation unit (e.g., a gyro sensor) 132. Uponreceiving sensing results from the gyro sensor 132, the controller 180may connect the call even in a state in which the mobile terminal 100 isnot separated from the case 200 (namely, in a state in which the lockmode is not released).

Also, the user manipulation unit 132 may be a pressure sensor 132. Forexample, in a state in which the mobile terminal 100 is accommodated inthe case 200 in the lock mode, when a call reception occurs, the usermay apply certain pressure to the pressure sensor 132 for apredetermined duration. Then, with reference to FIG. 12(c) as theduration lapses, the controller 180 may connect the call even in thestate in which the mobile terminal 100 is not separated from the case200.

In the foregoing example, the user manipulation unit is assumed to be agyro sensor and a pressure sensor, but the present invention is notlimited thereto and any user manipulation for executing a functionrelated to an event occurring in the state in which the mobile terminal100 is not separated from the case 200 (i.e., in the lock mode state)may be included.

Meanwhile, with reference to FIGS. 13(a), 13(b) and 13(c), theparticular event may be a reception of information from the exterior(e.g., a reception of a text message). In this case, in a state in whichthe mobile terminal 100 is not separated from the case 200, thecontroller 180 may display the received text message on a particularregion of the touch screen 151 as the user manipulation unit 132 iscontrolled in the same manner as described above.

With reference to FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b), in the state in which themobile terminal 100 is not separated from the case 200, generated eventinformation may be displayed on a particular region of the touch screen151 according to the control of the user manipulation unit 132. Withreference to FIGS. 14(c) and 14(d), in case of a plurality of items ofevent information displayed on the particular region, when one of theplurality of items of event information is selected, the controller 180may display the selected event information on the particular region ofthe touch screen 151.

In the above, the embodiments of performing the function related to aparticular event occurring in the state in which the mobile terminal 100is not separated from the case 200 have been described. Hereinafter, anexample in which, with information related to the particular eventdisplayed on a particular region of the touch screen 151, the image ischanged to a different image unrelated to the particular event anddisplayed on the particular region of the touch screen 151.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the process of a method forcontrolling a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIGS. 16(a), 16(b), and 16(c) are views illustrating anexample of the method for controlling a mobile terminal according to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 15.

Operations S410 to S430 are the same as those described above withreference to FIGS. 8 to 11, so a description thereof will be omitted. Ina state in which information indicating the occurrence of an event isdisplayed on a particular region of the touch screen 151 of the mobileterminal 100, the event may be terminated and a new application may beexecuted.

In this case, in a state in which the mobile terminal 100 is notseparated from the case 200, an image for terminating the event andexecuting a new application may be displayed on the particular region ofthe touch screen 151 according to the control of the user manipulationunit 132 in operation 5440 (See FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b)).

In general, the mobile terminal 100 may dispose applications forperforming particular functions on the front surface of the touch screen151. Namely, items, which are to be displayed on the entire screen, maybe disposed to be displayed on the particular region of the touch screen151 corresponding to the opening 210 in operation S450. For example,various applications may be evenly or equally on the entire regions ofthe touch screen 151 on a home screen. However, according to anembodiment of the present invention, the size of the opening 210 of thecase 200 may be smaller than the size of the touch screen 151 of themobile terminal 100.

Thus, the area of the particular region of the touch screen 151corresponding to the opening 210 may be limited, so the variousapplications, displayed on the home screen, may be disposed to have asize appropriate for the particular region of the touch screen 151 so asto be displayed.

FIG. 16(b) shows an example in which a plurality of applicationsincluded in at least one page of the home screen are disposed in theparticular region 151 a of the touch screen 151 corresponding to theopening 210.

As shown in FIGS. 16(b) and 16(c), when a touch input for selecting oneof the plurality of items disposed on the particular region is receivedin operation S460, the controller 180 may display an image related tothe selected item on the particular region of the touch screen 151 inoperation S470.

Meanwhile, the case 200 for accommodating the mobile terminal accordingto an embodiment of the present invention may include the opening 210having a protective film 211. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 16(a),16(b), and 16(c), when a touch input with respect to the part of theprotective film 211 of the case 200 is received, the controller 180 mayexecute a function related to an event displayed on the region of thetouch screen 151 in contact with the protective film 211.

Meanwhile, in the above description, the operation mode of the mobileterminal 100 is divided into the lock mode and the unlock mode, but theoperation mode of the mobile terminal 100 may be various without beinglimited thereto. Namely, the operation mode of the mobile terminal maybe variably divided and set according to a certain reference. Forexample, when a particular event occurs, a bell mode and a vibrationmode may be divided on the basis of a unit for feeding back the fact ofan occurrence of an event to the user.

FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b) are views illustrating another example of a methodfor controlling a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. Specifically, FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b) show an examplein which the controller 180 sets the operation mode of the mobileterminal 100 in different modes according to a direction in which themobile terminal 100 is received by the case 200.

With reference to FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b), when the mobile terminal 100 isreceived by the case 200, the controller 180 may set a first mode if themobile terminal 100 is received such that a front case 101 comes intocontact with the opening 210. Also, the controller may set a secondmode, different from the first mode, if the mobile terminal 100 isreceived such that a rear case 102 comes into contact with the opening210.

Whether or not the mobile terminal 100 is accommodated in the case 200may be determined through a mechanical connection between the mobileterminal 100 and the case 200 or according to sensing results of theillumination sensor 143 of the mobile terminal 100 as described above.

The mobile terminal and the control method of the mobile terminalaccording to embodiments of the present invention have the followingadvantages.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user interfaceallowing for the user to easily and effectively control the mobileterminal can be provided to the user.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a state inwhich the mobile terminal is accommodated in a certain case, the mobileterminal can be easily unlocked to immediately move to a desired userinterface or application through an interaction between the mobileterminal and the case.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in astate in which the mobile terminal is accommodated in the case, when anevent related to the mobile terminal occurs, the generation of the eventand/or content of the event can be effectively informed to the user.

The method for providing information of the mobile terminal according toembodiments of the present invention may be recorded in acomputer-readable recording medium as a program to be executed in thecomputer and provided. Further, the method for controlling a mobileterminal and the method for displaying an image of a mobile terminalaccording to embodiments of the present invention may be executed bysoftware. When executed by software, the elements of the embodiments ofthe present invention are code segments executing a required operation.The program or the code segments may be stored in a processor-readablemedium or may be transmitted by a data signal coupled with a carrier ina transmission medium or a communication network.

The computer-readable recording medium includes any kind of recordingdevice storing data that can be read by a computer system. Thecomputer-readable recording device includes a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, aDVD (ROM, a DVD-RAM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, a hard disk, anoptical data storage device, and the like. Also, codes which aredistributed in computer devices connected by a network and can be readby a computer in a distributed manner are stored and executed in thecomputer-readable recording medium.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understoodthat the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of thedetails of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, butrather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in theappended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fallwithin the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metesand bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A mobile terminal for coupling with a case, themobile terminal comprising: a touchscreen, wherein a first portion ofthe touchscreen is exposed via an opening within the case while aremaining portion of the touchscreen is covered by the case; a wirelesscommunication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with externaldevices; and a controller configured to: cause the touchscreen todisplay an application icon when the case is positioned to expose theremaining portion of the touchscreen; cause the touchscreen to displaythe application icon at the first portion of the touchscreen that isexposed via the opening, when the case is positioned to cover theremaining portion of the touchscreen; cause the touchscreen to displayan application execution screen corresponding to the application iconwithin the first portion of the touchscreen that is exposed via theopening in response to a touch input selecting the application icon,wherein the touch input is received through the opening while the caseis positioned to cover the remaining portion of the touchscreen; controlthe wireless communication unit to receive an event from at least one ofthe external devices while the case is positioned to cover the remainingportion of the touchscreen; cause the touchscreen to display anindicator, indicating the receiving of the event, within the firstportion of the touchscreen that is exposed via the opening in responseto the receiving of the event; and cause the touchscreen to display anexecution screen within the first portion of the touchscreen that isexposed via the opening, wherein the execution screen is associated withthe event, and wherein the execution screen is displayed in response toa first touch input received with regard to the displayed indicatorwhile the case is positioned to cover the remaining portion of thetouchscreen.
 2. The mobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising: asensing unit, wherein the controller is further configured to: determinewhether the touchscreen is covered by the case according to an inputprovided by the sensing unit.
 3. The mobile terminal of claim 2,wherein: the sensing unit comprises an illumination sensor configured tosense external brightness, the illumination sensor located such that itis blocked when the remaining portion of the touchscreen is covered bythe case.
 4. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller isfurther configured to set an operation mode of the mobile terminal toeither a lock mode or a unlock mode based on whether the remainingportion of touchscreen is covered by the case.
 5. The mobile terminal ofclaim 4, wherein the controller is further configured to release thelock mode and cause the touchscreen to display an image related to theevent when the case is positioned to expose the remaining portion of thetouchscreen.
 6. The mobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising: auser input unit configured to receive user input related to operation ofthe mobile terminal, and wherein the controller is further configured toexecute a function related to the event in response to an input receivedvia the user input unit for executing the function, the user inputreceived via the user input unit while the case is positioned to coverthe remaining portion of the touchscreen.
 7. The mobile terminal ofclaim 6, wherein the user input unit comprises a gyro sensor for sensingmovement of the mobile terminal or a pressure sensor for sensingpressure applied to the mobile terminal.
 8. The mobile terminal of claim1, further comprising: a user input unit configured to receive a userinput while the case is positioned to cover the remaining portion of thetouchscreen, wherein the controller is further configured to: cause thetouchscreen to display information in response to receiving the userinput via the user input unit.
 9. The mobile terminal of claim 1,wherein the event comprises reception of a call, a message, an e-mail,or update information of an application.
 10. The mobile terminal ofclaim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to: cause thetouchscreen to display the application icon within the first portion ofthe touchscreen that is exposed via the opening when the event isterminated, the application icon having been displayed on a screen priorto the case being positioned to cover the remaining portion of thetouchscreen; and the application icon is associated with a function thatis different from the event.
 11. The mobile terminal of claim 1, whereinthe controller is further configured to: cause the touchscreen todisplay a plurality of application icons when the case is positioned toexpose the remaining portion of the touchscreen; and wherein a size ofeach of the plurality of application icons displayed when the case ispositioned to expose the remaining portion of the touchscreen isdifferent than a size of a corresponding one of a plurality ofapplication icons that are displayed within the first portion of thetouchscreen that is exposed via the opening when the case is positionedto cover the remaining portion of the touchscreen.
 12. The mobileterminal of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:cause the touchscreen to display a plurality of indicators within thefirst portion of the touchscreen that is exposed via the opening, theplurality of indicators corresponding to a respective one of a pluralityof received events.
 13. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein thecontroller is further configured to: cause the touchscreen to display anexecution screen of an event with regard to a selected indicator amongthe plurality of indicators.
 14. The mobile terminal of claim 1, whereinthe application icon displayed at the first portion of the touchscreenthat is exposed via the opening is of a size that is appropriate for asize of the opening.
 15. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein size ofthe application icon displayed at the first portion of the touchscreenis different from a size of the application icon displayed when the caseis positioned to expose the remaining portion of the touchscreen.
 16. Adisplay method for a mobile terminal coupled to a case where a firstportion of a touchscreen is exposed via an opening within the case whilea remaining portion of the touchscreen is covered by the case, themethod comprising: displaying, on the touchscreen, an application iconwhen the case is positioned to expose the remaining portion of thetouchscreen; displaying, on the touchscreen, the application icon at thefirst portion of the touchscreen that is exposed via the opening, whenthe case is positioned to cover the remaining portion of thetouchscreen; displaying, on the touchscreen, an application executionscreen corresponding to the application icon within the first portion ofthe touchscreen that is exposed via the opening in response to a touchinput selecting the application icon, wherein the touch input isreceived through the opening while the case is positioned to cover theremaining portion of the touchscreen; controlling a wirelesscommunication unit to receive an event from at least one of a pluralityof external devices while the case is positioned to cover the remainingportion of the touchscreen; displaying, on the touchscreen, anindicator, indicating the receiving of the event, within the firstportion of the touchscreen that is exposed via the opening in responseto the receiving of the event; and displaying, on the touchscreen, anexecution screen within the first portion of the touchscreen that isexposed via the opening, wherein the execution screen is associated withthe event, and wherein the execution screen is displayed in response toa first touch input received with regard to the displayed indicatorwhile the case is positioned to cover the remaining portion of thetouchscreen.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the application icondisplayed at the first portion of the touchscreen that is exposed viathe opening is of a size that is appropriate for a size of the opening.18. The method of claim 16, wherein size of the application icondisplayed at the first portion of the touchscreen is different from asize of the application icon displayed when the case is positioned toexpose the remaining portion of the touchscreen.